Kathy Hochul has had little to say about politics since becoming governor back on Aug. 24. And that’s probably good politics, because her fortunes seem to only improve.
Last week was a good one for the Buffalo resident. A potential major competitor, former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, decided not to compete in this year’s Democratic primary for governor.
Then Hochul reported more than $21 million in her campaign account, dwarfing totals offered by her remaining Democratic rivals – Rep. Tom Suozzi of Nassau County and New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.
And to top it all off, a Siena College Research Institute poll showed the new governor dominating the Democratic field with 46% support, compared to 11% for Williams and 6% for Suozzi.
“With 22 weeks until the primary,” declared Siena pollster Steve Greenberg, “it appears Hochul is in the catbird seat to be the Democratic nominee for governor.”
All of this raises interesting questions about what lies ahead, especially as legislative mapmakers in Albany get serious about drawing new districts for members of the Assembly, State Senate and Congress.
Suozzi is a major contender in the Democratic primary, as his $5.2 million campaign fund demonstrates. But it only makes sense that Hochul, and much of the state’s Democratic hierarchy that backs her, would prefer that Suozzi remain as a leading member of New York’s congressional delegation and not pose a threat to the sitting governor.
